Unit 65: Principles and Applications of Microcontrollers
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Unit 65: Principles and Applications of Microcontrollers Unit code: T/600/7119 QCF Level 3: BTEC Nationals Credit value: 10 Guided learning hours: 60 Aim and purpose This unit will develop learners’ understanding of the features and characteristics of microcontrollers and will give them the skills needed to select, implement and test such devices. Unit introduction At work and at home we rely on a range of complex electrical and electronic devices and systems to meet our needs. We expect these devices to have numerous features, versatility, reduced costs, increased reliability, energy efficiency and be squeezed into ever-smaller units. This unit will enable learners to understand one of the most versatile building blocks that enable engineers to develop such applications – the microcontroller. A microcontroller is a ‘computer-on-a-chip’ and contains all the elements of a computer, such as electronic memory, input/output interfaces and control processes. This provides small size, reduced power consumption and the ability to control (after it has been programmed) processes or events. The microcontroller can be used for applications that measure, store, control, calculate or display information. This unit will develop learners’ understanding of microcontrollers and the main features of microcontroller internal architecture. The unit will cover communication and human interface devices, as their purpose is to be able to receive data and then pass back processed information either to other devices or to the human operator for them to act upon. Learners will be introduced to real-time operating systems (RTOS) and control instructions. They will also develop their ability to select, implement and test microcontrollers. Learning outcomes On completion of this unit a learner should: 1 Understand the internal architectural features and common characteristics of microcontrollers 2 Understand microcontroller communication interfaces and human interface devices 3 Understand microcontroller hardware control methods 4 Be able to select, implement and test a microcontroller. Edexcel BTEC Level 3 Nationals specification in Engineering – Issue 1 – February 2010 © Edexcel Limited 2009 1 Unit content 1 Understand the internal architectural features and common characteristics of microcontrollers Microcontroller internal architecture: architectural models eg von Neumann, Harvard; modules (central processor unit (CPU), arithmetic logic unit (ALU), control unit and registers eg stack pointer (SP), program counter (PC), instruction register (IR), accumulator, index, file, status); memory options eg volatile (static, dynamic, static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), battery back- up SRAM), non-volatile (read only memory (ROM), mask-ROM, electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), Flash memory, non-volatile NV-RAM); endianness eg big endian, little endian; interrupt controller, timer/counter, digital input/output (I/O) ports (parallel and number of pins); registers eg data direction register (DDR), port, port input; analogue I/O (analogue/digital converter eg channel, resolution, differential/bipolar conversion); watchdog timer; debugging unit Microcontroller characteristics and features: manufacturers eg Intel, Western Design Center, Motorola, ZiLOG; voltage levels and reasons for such levels; brownout protection; power consumption; power management modes (idle, halt, wakeup); over voltage protection (OVP); charger considerations; low- dropout regulators (LDOs); battery monitoring; power sequencing 2 Understand microcontroller communication interfaces and human interface devices Interfaces: serial; parallel; synchronous; asynchronous; bus; point-to-point; duplex (full, half), master/slave principle; universal asynchronous receiver transmitter (UART); universal synchronous asynchronous receiver transmitter (USART); configurable parameters eg number of data bits, parity bit, stop bit, baud rate; serial peripheral interface (SPI); synchronous serial port (SSP); serial peripheral port (SPP) master/slave to allow communications between controllers; serial communication interface (SCI); I2C bus – IIC (inter-OC bus); analogue-to-digital converters (A/D); digital-to-analogue convertors (D/A); signal standards eg RS –232, 422, 485, 482; Bluetooth; embedded internet and internet protocol suite; universal serial bus (USB) connection; controller area network (CAN) Human interface devices: display method eg light emitting diodes (LED), liquid crystal displays (LCD), plasma, thin-film transistor (TFT), vacuum fluorescent display (VFD); on-screen display (OSD) functions eg that support text and graphics display; input/output devices eg keyboards, keypad, touch screens, printers, electronic readers, wireless, USB 3 Understand microcontroller hardware control methods Real-time operating system (RTOS): event driven; time sharing; kernel (single, multi-stack); implementation (installation procedures, manipulate setting, locks and critical sections, memory management, scheduler); common types eg Palm OS, Windows CE, QNX, RTLinux, LinuxOS, Salvo LE Control instructions: complex instruction set computer (CISC); reduced instruction set computer (RISC); assembly language categories eg data movement, data processing, execution, processor control; polling; interrupts eg maskable, non-vectored, vectored, arbitration and priority; interrupts eg interrupt enable (IE), interrupt survive routine (ISR), interrupt flag (IF), interrupt mode; reset eg power-on, brown-out, external, watchdog, internal Edexcel BTEC Level 3 Nationals specification in Engineering 2 – Issue 1 – February 2010 © Edexcel Limited 2009 4 Be able to select, implement and test a microcontroller Selection and implementation: selection criteria eg based on cost, convenience, availability of development tools, intended use; implementation tools eg assemblers, simulators, resident debuggers, emulators/in- circuit emulators (ICE), Java on embedded system Testing techniques: operational considerations eg static, dynamic, interoperability, environmental; software tools eg debuggers, emulators; debugging eg breakpoints, scanpoints, profiles; test equipment and instruments eg oscilloscope, probes, analysers, signal-generating devices; internet searches for common faults and solutions; collection of test data eg data sheets, data management Edexcel BTEC Level 3 Nationals specification in Engineering – Issue 1 – February 2010 © Edexcel Limited 2009 3 Assessment and grading criteria In order to pass this unit, the evidence that the learner presents for assessment needs to demonstrate that they can meet all the learning outcomes for the unit. The assessment criteria for a pass grade describe the level of achievement required to pass this unit. Assessment and grading criteria To achieve a pass grade the To achieve a merit grade the To achieve a distinction grade evidence must show that the evidence must show that, in the evidence must show that, learner is able to: addition to the pass criteria, in addition to the pass and the learner is able to: merit criteria, the learner is able to: P1 explain the internal M1 explain how a D1 evaluate two different architectural structure of a microcontroller chip is techniques used for standard microcontroller connected to a human interfacing a microcontroller interface device to an external system P2 explain the characteristics and M2 compare an RTOS with D2 evaluate a microcontroller features of a manufacturer’s a CISC/RISC instruction application to determine what microcontroller family set with respect to how alternative microcontroller the use of such control chip could be used and the methods might influence benefits that it would provide. microcontroller selection P3 explain the function and M3 use a debugging tool application of three different to correct a fault in a microcontroller interfaces microcontroller application. P4 describe the benefits of one particular type of human interface device for a specific microcontroller application P5 explain the role of a real-time operating system P6 explain the control instructions of a given microcontroller assembly language program P7 select a microcontroller for a given application, stating the selection criteria used, including details of implementation tools available to support the application [IE1] P8 use one software-based and one instrument-based testing technique to determine the performance of a microcontroller in a given application. [IE1, SM3] Edexcel BTEC Level 3 Nationals specification in Engineering 4 – Issue 1 – February 2010 © Edexcel Limited 2009 PLTS: This summary references where applicable, in the square brackets, the elements of the personal, learning and thinking skills applicable in the pass criteria. It identifies opportunities for learners to demonstrate effective application of the referenced elements of the skills. Key IE – independent enquirers RL – reflective learners SM – self-managers CT – creative thinkers TW – team workers EP – effective participators Edexcel BTEC Level 3 Nationals specification in Engineering – Issue 1 – February 2010 © Edexcel Limited 2009 5 Essential guidance for tutors Delivery This unit assumes that learners are familiar with the use of software and instruments (eg oscilloscopes, probes, analysers, signal generators) and delivery should focus on their application to microcontrollers. A practical-based approach to delivery will be most effective and tutors should reinforce the more theoretical aspects through hands-on activities.